When Can I Stop Worrying About Car Accidents

Car accidents are unfortunately common. While some car accidents are caused by factors beyond our control, such as inclement weather or defective car parts, there are many things we can do to reduce our risk of being involved in a car accident.

Here are tips to help you avoid being in a car accident:

Obey the Speed Limit

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Obeying the speed limit lowers your risk of getting into an accident and can also help you avoid getting pulled over and incurring costly fines.

Don't Drive Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, it is also extremely dangerous. Drugs and alcohol impair your ability to make sound decisions and react quickly to potentially hazardous situations on the road. If you plan on drinking alcohol or using drugs that could impair your judgment or reaction time, always arrange for a designated driver ahead of time who will be responsible for getting you home safely.
 

Avoid Distractions While Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention away from the task of driving. Distractions can come in many forms, from reading and sending texts to adjusting your car's entertainment system. To avoid being involved in a distracted driving accident, put your phone away and out of reach before starting your trip, and resist any temptation to use it while behind the wheel. Pull over to a safe location if you need to change your entertainment system's settings or input a destination into your GPS system.
 

Stay Well-Rested and Alert

Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe accidents. Make sure you get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel and take breaks every few hours if you're going on a long road trip. Avoid driving late at night if possible, as that's when drowsy driving is most likely to occur.

By following these simple tips, you can make the roads safer for everyone and reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.

Leave Plenty of Distance Between You and the Car in Front of You

Even if you're obeying the speed limit and paying attention to your surroundings, accidents can still happen if you're following too closely behind the car in front of you. Experts recommend leaving at least three seconds—and more if you're driving a large vehicle—between you and the car ahead of you, so you have time to stop if necessary.

Car accidents are always scary and dangerous, but some are definitely worse than others. Some of the most common types of car accidents people worry about include the following:

1. Head-on collisions. These are perhaps the most dangerous kind of car accidents, as they often result in serious injuries or even death. Head-on collisions typically happen when one driver crosses the center line and hits oncoming traffic. If you've been in a head-on collision, it's important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don't think you're injured. Many times, injuries from head-on collisions don't manifest themselves until days or even weeks after the accident.

2. Rear-end collisions. While rear-end crashes are not usually as serious as head-on collisions, they can still be dangerous. Rear-end collisions often result in whiplash, a neck injury that can cause pain and stiffness for months or even years. If you're in a rear-end collision, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

3. Side-impact collisions. Also known as T-bone accidents, side-impact collisions happen when one car hits another from the side. These accidents are particularly dangerous because they often result in severe injuries to drivers or passengers hit from the side. If you've been in a side-impact collision, it's important to seek medical attention immediately and consider hiring a lawyer to help you with your case.

Cars are getting safer every year, but despite these advances, car accidents still happen—and when they do, they often result in injuries or even fatalities. So what are the most common car accident injuries, and how can you prevent them?

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. It occurs when your head is suddenly jerked forward or backward. Whiplash can cause a range of symptoms, including neck pain and stiffness, headaches, feeling dizzy, and even arm numbness. In severe cases, it can lead to nerve damage and paralysis.

The best way to prevent whiplash is to wear a seatbelt and ensure your headrest is positioned correctly so that your head is less likely to snap forward or backward in the event of a collision.

Broken Bones

Another common car accident injury is broken bones. They often occur in high-impact collisions, such as side-impact or frontal crashes. Broken bones can occur anywhere in the body, but some of the most common places are the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.

If you're involved in a car accident, there's not much you can do to prevent broken bones—but wearing a seatbelt will help minimize the risk by keeping you restrained within the vehicle during a collision. Furthermore, airbags can also help reduce the likelihood of broken bones by absorbing some of the impact during a crash.

Lacerations

Lacerations—or cuts—also occur in car accidents. They're usually caused by shattered glass or metal debris from the impact of a collision. Lacerations can vary in severity from minor cuts that only require Band-Aids to deep gashes that require stitches or even surgery to close.         
                               
Wearing a seatbelt will help protect you from lacerations by keeping you restrained within the vehicle during a collision—but it's also important to make sure that your car's windows are in good condition so that they don't shatter easily in an accident.

Car accidents happen all too often—but understanding some of the most common types of car accident injuries can help you be better prepared if you're ever involved in one. And while there's no guaranteed way to prevent all car accidents (or their associated injuries), following safety precautions like wearing seatbelts and ensuring your car is properly maintained can help minimize your risk, and potential damages should an accident occur.

Wondering, “When can I stop worrying about car accidents?” is normal, given the frequency of them throughout the country. You will likely always worry about car accidents to some degree. Still, hopefully, this information helped you understand when to worry, when not to worry, and what precautions to take. Taking certain steps will help reduce your risk of being in a car accident, but you cannot completely eliminate it. Remember to always practice safe driving habits. And remember, even if you do everything right, accidents can still happen through no fault of your own. If you or someone you love was involved in an accident that wasn't your fault, contacting a personal injury lawyer can be very helpful. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan can help you no matter where you're located. Our experienced accident lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.